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How bad does a cataract have to be before surgery?
A cataract does not have to become “ripe” before it can be removed. In the past, the lens could not be extracted safely from the eye unless it was at a relatively advanced stage of development. With modern advances in cataract surgery, the lens can now be removed from the eye at any stage of development.
Can you wait too long to fix cataracts?
If you wait too long, your cataracts can become “hyper-mature”, which makes them more difficult to remove, and can cause surgery complications. In general, the best outcomes for cataract surgery take place when surgery is performed soon after vision problems develop.
How long does it take for vision to clear after cataract surgery?
Within 48 hours, many cataracts patients see significant improvement in their vision. It is possible that your vision could take one to two weeks to adjust and settle. The eye must adapt to the new intraocular lens that has replaced the lens. Every patient is different!
What happens if you put off cataract surgery?
Eventually, the cataract will begin to obscure your eyesight, making images blurry, clouded or dim. But if your vision hasn’t yet been affected, there’s no harm in putting off cataract surgery for now. A cataract occurs when the naturally clear lens inside your eye becomes cloudy.
What is a Grade 3 cataract?
A 3+ cataract. This cataract is so dense that the cortex has liquefied, allowing the nucleus to sink to the bottom of the lens capsule.
Can you watch TV after cataract surgery?
You can read or watch TV right away, but things may look blurry. Most people are able to return to work or their normal routine in 1 to 3 days. After your eye heals, you may still need to wear glasses, especially for reading.
Is it normal for eyesight to get blurry after cataract surgery?
Eyesight getting blurry is completely normal after the cataract surgery. It’s going to be better with time. Just take care of your eyes and don’t drive or work before you’re back with your normal vision.
How long does it take to recover from cataract surgery?
During early recovery, patients will be able to see, but not in clear, but rather, soft vision. Within 48 hours, many cataracts patients see significant improvement in their vision. It is possible that your vision could take one to two weeks to adjust and settle. The eye must adapt to the new intraocular lens that has replaced the lens.
Do I need to wait to have cataract surgery?
It’s really up to you as to when to have the surgery. Cataracts create vision problems such as halos, blurriness, glare and dimmed colors, and when the symptoms worsen, your quality of life and ability to perform everyday tasks will diminish. There’s no need to wait: get the surgery and get on with your life.
What can I do if my cataract has returned?
It may even seem as if the cataract is returning. This can affect your vision. An eye doctor can use a laser to make an opening in the center of the cloudy lens capsule. This procedure is a quick, outpatient procedure that can restore the vision. Most people use glasses, at least some of the time, after cataract surgery.